You Won’t Believe Where You Can Stream Keanu’s Forgotten Samurai Epic NOW

by

In order to ready himself for the 2013 release, Keanu Reeves mastered the use of a katana. This movie, however, didn’t fare well at the box office. But, within just under a year, Reeves found success again when he portrayed an assassin who carried guns and swords, along with pencils, in another film.

Beginning May 1st, the action-packed movie “47 Ronin” will be available for streaming. This 2013 film is a must-see for fans of John Wick as it marks the first time Keanu Reeves shares the screen with another character. Based on a real Japanese historical event, “47 Ronin” follows Kai, played by Reeves, who embarks on a journey of redemption as a social outcast. The story beautifully blends elements of Japanese history with fantastical creatures like witches and giants. Despite being a critical and commercial flop in 2013, “47 Ronin” paved the way for Reeves’ impressive performance in the 2014 release of John Wick.

John Wick helped establish Keanu Reeves as a formidable physical actor, but it was for the film 47 Ronin that he learned to master the katana. This skill turned out to be beneficial in John Wick: Parabellum. In an interview in 2013, he mentioned, “Action-wise, I started learning how to handle a katana and we underwent some training.” He acknowledged that his co-star Hiroyuki Sanada set the standard for sword-fighting prowess. “Hiroyuki Sanada is truly exceptional with a sword,” he said. “I recall during a camera test, I asked him, ‘So Hiro, how many samurai films have you done?’ He replied, ‘Twenty.’ I responded, ‘Okay.’ Later, I asked him again, ‘How many have you done?’ and he answered casually, ‘Mmm, 30.’

Keanu Reeves Recalls His First Katana Training

As a devoted cinephile, let me share my recollection of an unforgettable training session I had with Sanada. He dropped by to discuss our project, he said. After a brief exchange, he began warming up, and I found myself learning from the maestro, Tsuyoshi [Abe]. Intriguingly, he instructed Tsuyoshi to demonstrate an overhead strike. Without a moment’s hesitation, Sanada executed it so flawlessly that his blade was perilously close to his Adam’s apple. I gasped, “Well then, there’s the bar. I haven’t reached it yet.” This remarkable scene in 47 Ronin set the stage for our on-screen camaraderie, a connection that was further strengthened a decade later.

One can truly appreciate working with someone as professional and helpful as Sanada is. ‘He’s simply remarkable,’ Reeves stated. What makes him stand out is that he’s always eager to lend a hand, whether it be guiding balance or perfecting form. He’s not just good with the cast, but with everyone on set, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Even when it comes to wearing swords, Sanada, also known as Kuranosuke Oishi, takes care of everyone, making sure everyone is at their best.

Reeves admitted it was tough to match Sanada’s skill with the katana. Jokingly, he said, “After fighting together once, I feel like a caveman.” He continued, “In slow-motion, there’s a stunning sequence between us. Each move is exquisite and I can’t help but exclaim.” He further explained, “I hope the contrast will be appealing. They are aiming for traditional two-handed swordplay, and Hiroyuki is particularly mindful of that. Moreover, he hinted at his training for ‘John Wick’, which came out just a year prior to this.” Additionally, he mentioned another aspect of his past.

47 Ronin starts streaming on Peacock on May 1.

Read More

2025-04-27 00:05